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Cedar City weighs new test wells after Rush Lake deal stalls
Summary
City staff presented new candidate well sites near Rush Lake and Braffitts Creek and asked the council to authorize bids to test and develop wells using funds set aside for Rush Lake water acquisition; council asked staff to return next week with a plan for bids and funding options.
Cedar City officials on Aug. 20 debated where to drill next after a proposed Rush Lake purchase stalled.
Jonathan Stath of the city engineering department described multiple new locations the city’s consultants ranked for test wells — including three sites along Braffitts Creek and a favored private parcel identified as “2.1,” which consultant Mervyn Cox placed highest. Stath said most candidate sites sit on Bureau of Land Management land; one (2.1) is private and would require an easement or land purchase from the Lundgren family.
Mayor (name on record) told council that a memorandum of understanding with the Rush Lake owner never resulted in a completed deal and that staff must “continue to move forward” using money already earmarked for well development. “I think we need to continue to move forward,” he said, urging site visits before a vote.
Water Department staff and consultants discussed pipeline options and capacity. Matt Baker, water department, flagged an operational advantage in tying new wells into the existing pipeline near Enoch Well No. 3, which is about 1.8 miles from some candidate pads. Engineers said BLM South wells are producing roughly 1,400 gallons per minute and that the city needs at least several 1,000‑gpm wells before building a large transfer pipeline.
Council and staff disagreed briefly over budget accounting: staff confirmed $4,000,000 is budgeted for Rush Lake water acquisition or alternatives and there was a recall of a $10,000,000 pipeline figure discussed when the budget was last finalized. Staff advised the council that the next step, if council approves, would be authorization to solicit bids for drilling and related work and to use the $4 million set‑aside as the initial funding source.
Council members asked for a field trip to inspect the sites and requested staff return next week with specific recommendations and a draft request for proposals.
What’s next: Council asked staff to present RFP/bid language, estimated costs for test drilling at prioritized sites (2.1, 2.4/2.5, 2.6) and a financing plan at the next meeting.
